# 2022 Great Midwest Athletic Conference football season

The 2022 Midwest Athletic Conference football season was the season of college football played by the nine member schools of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) as part of the 2022 NCAA Division II football season.
Ashland compiled a 10–2 record, won the GMAC championship, and was ranked No. 12 in the final NCAA Division II poll. Ashland advanced to the Division II playoffs, losing to IUP in the second round.
Ashland linebacker Michael Ayers was selected as the GMAC Player of the Year. Lee Owens of Ashland was named Coach of the Year, and Hillsdale wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa was named Defensive Player of the Year.

## Conference awards
### Individual awards

* Player of the Year - Michael Ayers, linebacker, Ashland
* Offensive Player of the Year - Isaac TeSlaa, wide receiver, Hillsdale
* Defensive Player of the Year - Jaylin Garner, defensive line, Ohio Dominican
* Offensive Lineman of the Year - Ty Keirns, Ohio Dominican
* Defensive Lineman of the Year - Charlie Cleveland, Tiffin
* Freshman of the Year - Ethan Enders, offensive line, Ashland
* Special Teams Player of the Year - Anthony Lowe, return specialist, Tiffin
* Elite 26 Award - Jordan Speller, offensive line, Tiffin
* Coach of the Year - Lee Owens, Ashland

### All-conference team

Offense first team
* Quarterback - Austin Brenner, Ashland
* Running backs - Michael Herzog, Hillsdale; Larry Martin, Ashland; Darius Pinnix, Tiffin
* Offensive line - Shane Bumgardner, Tiffin; Nehemiah Cannon, Ashland; Michael Jerrell, Findlay; Ty Keirns, Ohio Dominican; Gavin Posey, Ashland; Sam Puthoff, Ashland
* Wide receivers - Peyton Brown, Lake Erie; Anthony Lowe, Tiffin; Isaac Teslaa, Hillsdale; Andrew Wolf, Ohio Dominican
* Tight end - Mike Rigerman, Findlay
Defense first team
* Defensive line - Jeffrey Barnett, Ashland; Grey Brancifort, Findlay; Jaylin Garner, Ohio Dominican; Charlie Cleveland, Tiffin; Eddie Miller-Garrett, Ohio Dominican
* Linebackers - Michael Ayers, Ashland; Stephen Baugh, Walsh; AJ Crider, Ohio Dominican; Jalen Humphrey, Kentucky Wesleyan; Kyle Kudla, Hillsdale
* Defensive backs - Kijana Caldwell, Findlay; Daishaun Hill, Ohio Dominican; Jayden Hill, Ohio Dominican; Devin Prude, Ashland; Jourdan Swett, Ashland
Special teams first team
* Punter - Luke Keller, Hillsdale
* Kicker - Austin Snyder, Findlay
* Return specialist - Anthony Lowe, Tiffin

## Teams
### Ashland

The 2022 Ashland Eagles football team represented the Ashland University as a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) during the 2022 NCAA Division II football season. In their 17th season under head coach Lee Owens, the Eagles compiled a 10–2 record (7–1 against conference opponents), won the GMAC championship, and were ranked No. 12 nationally at the end of the regular season.
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 1 | No. 10 Notre Dame (OH)* | | Jack Miller Field/Schar Athletic ComplexAshland, OH | W 31–14 | 3,623 |
| September 10 | at Findlay | No. 20 | Donnell StadiumFindlay, OH | W 28–3 | 4,527 |
| September 24 | at Quincy* | | QU StadiumQuincy, IL | W 34–14 | 500 |
| October 1 | Northwood | | Jack Miller Field/Schar Athletic ComplexAshland, OH | W 56–17 | 2,077 |
| October 8 | at Walsh | | Larry Staudt FieldNorth Canton, OH | W 35–0 | 1,143 |
| October 15 | Ohio Dominican | | Jack Miller Field/Schar Athletic ComplexAshland, OH | W 14–7 | 3,072 |
| October 22 | at Tiffin | | Jack Miller Field/Schar Athletic ComplexTiffin, OH | W 28–20 | 3,390 |
| October 29 | at Hillsdale | | Frank "Muddy" Waters StadiumHillsdale, MI | L 20–36 | 1,835 |
| November 5 | at Lake Erie | | Jack Britt Memorial StadiumPainesville, OH | W 31–23 | 507 |
| November 12 | Kentucky Wesleyan | No. 13 | Jack Miller Field/Schar Athletic ComplexAshland, OH | W 41–10 | 1,601 |
| November 19 | No. 24 Notre Dame (OH)* | | Jack Miller Field/Schar Athletic ComplexAshland, OH (NCAA Division II First Round) | W 20–13 | 1,825 |
| November 26 | at No. 15 IUP* | | George P. Miller StadiumIndiana, PA (NCAA Division II Second Round) | L 13–19 | 1,295 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game |||||||

### Ohio Dominican

The 2022 Ohio Dominican Panthers football team represented the Ohio Dominican University as a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) during the 2022 NCAA Division II football season. In their sixth year under head coach Kelly Cummings, the Panthers compiled a 7–3 record (6–2 against conference opponents) and tied for second place in the GMAC.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 3 | Findlay | Panther StadiumColumbus, OH | W 28–14 | 1,280 |
| September 10 | at Tiffin | Frost-Kalnow StadiumTiffin, OH | L 28–13 | 2,140 |
| September 17 | William Jewell* | Panther StadiumColumbus, OH | W 31–21 | 1,159 |
| September 24 | No. 16/24 Indianapolis* | Panther StadiumColumbus, OH | L 44–38 | 2,154 |
| October 1 | Walsh | Panther StadiumColumbus, OH | W 21–0 | 1,298 |
| October 8 | at Lake Erie | Jack Britt Memorial StadiumPainesville, OH | W 38–7 | 314 |
| October 15 | at No. 6/11 Ashland | Jack Miller StadiumAshland, OH | L 14–7 | 3,072 |
| October 22 | Kentucky Wesleyan | Panther StadiumColumbus, OH | W 49–7 | 1,051 |
| November 5 | at Northwood | Hantz StadiumMidland, MI | W 35–24 | 1,194 |
| November 12 | Hillsdale | Panther StadiumColumbus, OH | W 20–10 | 1,267 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game ||||||

### Findlay

The 2022 Findlay Oilers football team represented the University of Findlay as a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) during the 2022 NCAA Division II football season. In their first season under head coach Kory Allen, the Oilers compiled a 7–4 record (6–2 against conference opponents) and tied for second place in the GMAC.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 3 | at Ohio Dominican | Panther StadiumColumbus, OH | L 28–14 | 1,280 |
| September 10 | No. 20 Ashland | Donnell StadiumFindlay, OH | L 3–28 | 4,527 |
| September 17 | Southwest Baptist* | Donnell StadiumFindlay, OH | W 52–35 | 727 |
| September 24 | at North Greenville* | Younts StadiumTigerville, SC | L 27–34 | 2,374 |
| October 1 | No. 1 Ferris State* | Donnell StadiumFindlay, OH | L 7–38 | 728 |
| October 8 | Northwood | Donnell StadiumFindlay, OH | W 34–14 | 2,967 |
| October 15 | at Kentucky Wesleyan | Steele StadiumOwensboro, KY | W 44–7 | 600 |
| October 22 | at Hillsdale | Frank "Muddy" Waters StadiumHillsdale, MI | W 41–20 | 2,057 |
| October 29 | Lake Erie | Donnell StadiumFindlay, OH | W 42–17 | 629 |
| November 5 | Walsh | Donnell StadiumFindlay, OH | W 20–7 | 527 |
| November 12 | at Tiffin | Frost-Kalnow StadiumTiffin, OH | W 27–25 | |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game ||||||

### Tiffin

The 2022 Tiffin Dragons football team represented the Tiffin University as a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) during the 2022 NCAA Division II football season. In their fourth season under head coach Cris Reisert, the Dragons compiled a 6–5 record (6–2 against conference opponents) and tied for second place in the GMAC.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 3 | at Walsh | Larry Staudt FieldNorth Canton, OH | W 42–0 | |
| September 10 | Ohio Dominican | Frost Kalnow StadiumTiffin, OH | W 28–13 | 2,140 |
| September 17 | Indianapolis* | Frost Kalnow StadiumTiffin, OH | L 20–27 | 2,650 |
| September 24 | at Truman State* | Stokes StadiumKirksville, MO | L 17–18 $^{OT}$ | 3,400 |
| October 1 | Lake Erie | Frost Kalnow StadiumTifin, OH | W 52–27 | 2,736 |
| October 8 | at Hillsdale | Frank "Muddy" Waters StadiumHillsdale, MI | W 41–0 | 2,817 |
| October 22 | at Ashland | Jack Miller Field/Schar Athletic ComplexAshland, OH | L 20–28 | 3,390 |
| October 29 | Northwood | Frost Kalnow StadiumTiffin, OH | W 48–3 | 1,127 |
| November 5 | at Kentucky Wesleyan | Steele StadiumOwensboro, KY | W 72–13 | 630 |
| November 12 | Findlay | Frost Kalnow StadiumTiffin, OH | L 25–27 | |
| December 3 | vs. Truman State* | Brickyard StadiumHobart, IN (Crossroads Bowl) | L 27–28 | 808 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecoming ||||||

### Hillsdale

The 2022 Hillsdale Chargers football team represented Hillsdale College as a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) during the 2022 NCAA Division II football season. In their 21st season under head coach Keith Otterbein, the Chargers compiled a 5–6 record (4–4 against conference opponents) and finished fifth in the GMAC.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 3 | at Lake Erie | Jack Britt Memorial StadiumPainesville, OH | W 35–31 | 653 |
| September 10 | Walsh | Frank "Muddy" Waters StadiumHillsdale, MI | W 35–17 | 2,145 |
| September 17 | Truman State* | Frank "Muddy" Waters StadiumHillsdale, MI | L 13–21 | 1,724 |
| September 24 | at Missouri S&T* | Allgood-Bailey StadiumRolla, MO | W 17–10 | 2,909 |
| October 1 | at Kentucky Wesleyan | Steele StadiumOwensboro, KY | L 27–31 | 1,550 |
| October 8 | Tiffin | Frank "Muddy" Waters StadiumHillsdale, MI | L 0–41 | 2,817 |
| October 15 | at Northwood | Hantz StadiumMidland, MI | W 41–7 | 1,121 |
| October 22 | Findlay | Frank "Muddy" Waters StadiumHillsdale, MI | L 20–41 | 2,057 |
| October 29 | Ashland | Frank "Muddy" Waters StadiumHillsdale, MI | W 36–20 | 1,835 |
| November 5 | Michigan Tech* | Frank Waters StadiumHillsdale, MI | L 24–28 | 1,407 |
| November 12 | at Ohio Dominican | Panther StadiumColumbus, OH | L 10–20 | 1,267 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecoming ||||||

### Lake Erie

The 2022 Lake Erie Storm football team represented Lake Erie College as a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) during the 2022 NCAA Division II football season. In their second season under head coach D. J. Boldin, the Storm compiled a 3–8 record (3–5 against conference opponents) and finished sixth in the GMAC.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 3 | Hillsdale | Jack Britt Memorial StadiumPainesville, OH | L 31–35 | 653 |
| September 10 | at Kentucky Wesleyan | Steele StadiumOwensboro, KY | W 26–21 | 1,450 |
| September 17 | McKendree* | Jack Britt Memorial StadiumPainesville, OH | L 38–37 | 494 |
| September 24 | at Southwest Baptist* | Plaster StadiumBolivar, MO | L 31–52 | 625 |
| October 1 | at Tiffin | Frost Kalnow StadiumTiffin, OH | L 27–52 | 2,736 |
| October 8 | Ohio Dominican | Jack Britt Memorial StadiumPainesville, OH | L 7–38 | 315 |
| October 15 | at Walsh | Larry Staudt FieldNorth Canton, OH | W 22–15 $^{OT}$ | 500 |
| October 22 | Northwood | Jack Britt Memorial StadiumPainesville, OH | W 21–18 | 433 |
| October 29 | at Findlay | Donnell StadiumFindlay, OH | L 17–42 | 629 |
| November 5 | Ashland | Jack Britt Memorial StadiumPainesville, OH | L 23–31 | 507 |
| November 12 | Northern Michigan* | Jack Britt Memorial StadiumPainesville, OH | L 11–33 | 331 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecoming ||||||

### Northwood

The 2022 Northwood Timberwolves football team represented Northwood University as a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) during the 2022 NCAA Division II football season. In their seventh year under head coach Leonard Haynes, the Timberwolves compiled a 3–8 record (2–6 against conference opponents) and finished seventh in the GMAC.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 3 | Kentucky Wesleyan | Hantz StadiumMidland, MI | W 55–13 | 1,833 |
| September 10 | Madonna* | Hantz StadiumMidland, MI | W 38–0 | 1,244 |
| September 17 | Saginaw Valley* | Hantz StadiumMidland, MI | L 14–35 | 3,122 |
| September 24 | at Davenport* | Farmers Insurance ComplexCaledonia, MI | L 17–51 | 1,822 |
| October 1 | at Ashland | Jack Miller Field/Schar Athletic ComplexAshland, OH | L 17–56 | |
| October 8 | at Findlay | Donnell StadiumFindlay, OH | L 14–34 | 2,967 |
| October 15 | Hillsdale | Hantz StadiumMidland, MI | L 7–41 | 1,121 |
| October 22 | at Lake Erie | Jack Britt Memorial StadiumPainesville, OH | L 18–21 | 433 |
| October 29 | at Tiffin | Frost Kalnow StadiumTiffin, OH | L 3–48 | 1,127 |
| November 5 | Ohio Dominican | Hantz StadiumMidland, MI | L 24–35 | 1,194 |
| November 12 | Walsh | Hantz StadiumMidland, MI | W 34–14 | 1,001 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecoming ||||||

### Kentucky Wesleyan

The 2022 Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers football team represented Kentucky Wesleyan College as a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) during the 2022 NCAA Division II football season. In their first year under head coach Tyrone Young, the Panthers compiled a 2–9 record (1–8 against conference opponents) and tied for last place in the GMAC.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 3 | at Northwood | Hantz StadiumMidland, MI | L 13–55 | 1,833 |
| September 10 | Lake Erie | Steele StadiumOwensboro, KY | L 21–26 | 1,450 |
| September 17 | Missouri S&T* | Steele StadiumOwensboro, KY | W 11–6 | 1,000 |
| September 24 | at William Jewell* | Greene StadiumLiberty, MO | L 17–24 | |
| October 1 | Hillsdale | Steele StadiumOwensboro, KY | W 31–27 | 1,550 |
| October 8 | at Quincy* | QU StadiumQuincy, IL | L 9–46 | 432 |
| October 15 | Findlay | Steele StadiumOwensboro, KY | L 7–44 | 600 |
| October 22 | at Ohio Dominican | Panther StadiumColumbus, OH | L 7–49 | 1,051 |
| October 29 | at Walsh | Larry Staudt FieldNorth Canton, OH | L 10–35 | 714 |
| November 5 | Tiffin | Steele StadiumOwensboro, KY | L 13–72 | 630 |
| November 12 | at No. 13 Ashland | Jack Miller Field/Schar Athletic ComplexAshland, OH | L 10–41 | 1,601 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game ||||||

### Walsh

The 2022 Walsh Cavaliers football team represented Walsh University as a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) during the 2022 NCAA Division II football season. In their second year under head coach John Frankhauser, the Cavaliers compiled a 1–9 record (1–7 against conference opponents) and tied for last place in the GMAC.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 3 | Tiffin | Staudt FieldNorth Canton, OH | L 0–42 | |
| September 10 | at Hillsdale | Frank "Muddy" Waters StadiumHillsdale, MI | L 17–35 | 2,145 |
| September 17 | Quincy* | Staudt FieldNorth Canton, OH | L 13–28 | 711 |
| September 24 | at McKendree* | Leemon FieldLebanon, IL | L 10–46 | 3,200 |
| October 1 | at Ohio Dominican | Panther StadiumColumbus, OH | L 0–21 | 1,298 |
| October 8 | Ashland | Staudt FieldNorth Canton, OH | L 0–35 | 1,143 |
| October 15 | Lake Erie | Staudt FieldNorth Canton, OH | L 15–22 | 500 |
| October 29 | Kentucky Wesleyan | Staudt FieldNorth Canton, OH | W 35–10 | 714 |
| November 5 | at Findlay | Donnell StadiumFindlay, OH | L 7–20 | 527 |
| November 12 | at Northwood | Hantz StadiumMidland, MI | L 14–34 | 1,001 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecoming ||||||